Americans United - Creationism & Evolutionhttp://blog.au.org/issues/creationism-evolution
Creationism is a religious belief concerning the origins of the Earth and humankind, based on a literal reading of the Bible and other religious texts. It does not belong in public school science classes. Furthermore, public schools should not be precluded from teaching evolution, which is accepted by the vast majority of the scientific community, simply because some people object to it on theological grounds.
enWill Trump’s Presidency Empower Creationists? http://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/will-trump-s-presidency-empower-creationists
<a href="/about/people/rob-boston">Rob Boston</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/wall-of-separation">Wall of Separation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>There has been a lot of speculation about how President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to run the U.S. Department of Education, Betsy DeVos, might affect the issue of private school vouchers.</p>
<p>DeVos is known primarily for her advocacy of vouchers, and Trump has backed a nationwide plan with a staggering price tag of $20 billion. Many people are rightly alarmed.</p>
<p>But there’s another education-related issue we ought to be concerned about as well: <a href="http://religionnews.com/2016/12/05/evangelicals-in-trumps-cabinet-educators-worry-science-will-be-a-casualty/">creationism</a>.</p>
<p>Trump’s vice president, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, is a creationist. DeVos’ husband, Dick, promoted teaching “intelligent design” creationism during his unsuccessful run for governor of Michigan in 2006. (Ben Carson, Trump’s choice to run the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is also a creationist, although he can probably do little damage there.)</p>
<p>What does Trump himself believe? It’s hard to say. Prior to the election, <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/mckaycoppins/the-religious-rights-dangerous-bet-on-trump?utm_term=.wb6lnRzd8#.riBPqw8Jn">advisors told Trump</a> that if he were asked if he believed in evolution or creationism, the safest reply was, “I believe both.”</p>
<p>Truth be told, it almost doesn’t matter what Trump believes or if he has even thought about the issue at all. He has kowtowed to the Religious Right so much that I’m sure he’d be happy to toss Charles Darwin under the bus if it was politically expedient. </p>
<p><img alt="" src="/files/GettyImages-163746345_0.jpg" style="width: 800px; height: 530px;" /></p>
<p><em>Will the Trump Administration send an anti-science message? </em></p>
<p>On the positive side, the federal government doesn’t determine local education policies, and courts have almost uniformly sided against teaching creationism in public schools. Americans United and other groups have a <a href="https://www.au.org/church-state/december-2015-church-state/editorial/science-lesson-celebrating-10-years-of-the-dover">strong track record</a> of success here that will help as we go forward.</p>
<p>But that’s no reason to be complacent. It’s true that Trump and Pence can’t require public schools to teach creationism, but there are other things they can do to get in the way of sound science education. If new legal cases challenging creationism in public schools reach the courts, for example, they can order the U.S. Justice Department to file legal briefs in favor of teaching creationism.</p>
<p>They can also just set a bad tone and use their bully pulpits in ways that threaten proper science education. President Barack Obama was a big booster of sound science education. You can watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxEch5nsNkk">clips online</a> of Obama enjoying himself at White House Science Fairs. Obama’s enthusiasm for science set a certain tone and sent a certain message that was pro-science and pro-education.</p>
<p>The message being sent wasn’t just that there are good jobs in science and technology (although there are), but that this stuff matters. There’s a joy in learning about the world around us and how it, and we humans, came to be. The message often projected by the Obama White House was that there is much more to learn, and it’s exciting to be a part of that.</p>
<p>The Trump White House can, if it chooses, send a very different message. Looking at the line-up Trump has selected to give him advice and work alongside him on issues related to education and science, we have every reason to fear that a big change in tone is in the offing. </p>
</div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/creationism-evolution">Creationism &amp; Evolution</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/descriptions-and-activities-religious-right-groups">Descriptions and Activities of Religious Right Groups</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/betsy-devos">Betsy DeVos</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/creationism">creationism</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/evolution">evolution</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/mike-pence">Mike Pence</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/science-education">Science Education</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/education-department">Education Department</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a></span></div></div>Wed, 07 Dec 2016 14:40:25 +0000Rokia Hassanein12530 at http://blog.au.orghttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/will-trump-s-presidency-empower-creationists#commentsTrump Wanted Jerry Falwell Jr. To Run The U.S. Department of Education http://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/trump-wanted-jerry-falwell-jr-to-run-the-us-department-of-education
<a href="/about/people/rob-boston">Rob Boston</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/wall-of-separation">Wall of Separation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>If there’s anyone out there who still thinks the Donald Trump presidency won’t be so bad for separation of church and state, chew on this: Trump <a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FALWELL_TRUMP?SITE=AP&amp;SECTION=HOME&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT">offered the job</a> of Education Secretary to <em>Jerry Falwell Jr.</em></p>
<p>That’s right: Trump was prepared to turn the U.S. Department of Education over to a biblical literalist who would have been absolutely unqualified for the job.</p>
<p>Did I mention <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/who-jerry-falwell-jr-trump-picks-cabinet-creationist-liberty-university-president-2449792">he’s a creationist</a>? And that he <a href="http://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/liberty-university-hosting-two-day-anti-gay-conference/">rails against</a> the LGBTQ community? That he once told students at Liberty University <a href="https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/armed-and-dangerous-falwell-suggests-that-lu-students-get-guns-to-fend-off">to arm themselves</a> against “those Muslims?”</p>
<p>Falwell does run Liberty University, a large conservative Christian college in Lynchburg, Va. He inherited it from his father. But this hardly means the younger Falwell is prepared to oversee the American public school system, which serves more than 50 million children.</p>
<p>Imagine a man whose university runs a <a href="http://www.liberty.edu/academics/arts-sciences/creation/">Center for Creation Studies</a> that aims to “research, promote, and communicate a robust young-Earth creationist view of Earth history” overseeing public education in America.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="/files/Bible%20creation.jpg" style="width: 800px; height: 530px;" /></p>
<p><em>Under Falwell Jr., this might have been a science text for public schools. </em></p>
<p>Imagine how Falwell would have handled the rights of LGBTQ students in public schools. Imagine him promoting “Christian nation” fake history <a href="https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/the-jefferson-lies-david-barton%E2%80%99s-new-collection-of-whoppers">penned by his pal</a> David Barton.</p>
<p>And make no mistake, Falwell would have had the leverage to interfere in all of these issues. Public education in the United States is largely funded at the local level, usually through property taxes. But the federal government contributes some aid as well. It’s hard to pin down the precise figure because the feds spread it out over a number of programs, but one estimate by <em>The New York Times</em> put federal education spending at more than <a href="http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/putting-a-number-on-federal-education-spending/?_r=0">$107 billion annually</a>.</p>
<p>Falwell told the Associated Press that Trump offered him the top job at the Education Department when the two met in New York City after the election. Reportedly, Trump wanted Falwell to commit to at least four years, which Falwell wasn’t willing to do.</p>
<p>But Falwell continues to imply that he’ll have some role to play in the Education Department, and the education secretary Trump did name, Betsy DeVos, is known primarily for <a href="https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/devos-devoted-career-to-dismantling-public-education">promoting private school vouchers</a>. The country may have dodged Falwell, but the appointee we got isn’t much better.</p>
<p>Public education in the United States faces significant challenges. Adequate funding is essential, as is building community support for the schools.</p>
<p>A strong leader could call on Americans to rally around their public schools, since they are the only educational institutions that by law welcome children of all religions, races and socio-economic backgrounds. </p>
<p>By offering important positions to people like Falwell and DeVos, who not only don’t prioritize public education but seem to disagree with its core mission, Trump has exposed his true colors: We can expect at least four years of an Education Department that focuses on private institutions while the public schools that serve 90 percent of our children are an afterthought.</p>
</div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/creationism-evolution">Creationism &amp; Evolution</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/bibles-and-religious-texts-curricula">Bibles and Religious Texts in Curricula</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/descriptions-and-activities-religious-right-groups">Descriptions and Activities of Religious Right Groups</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/jerry-falwell-jr-0">Jerry Falwell Jr.</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/liberty-university">Liberty University</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/betsy-devos">Betsy DeVos</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/us-department-education">U.S. Department of Education</a></span></div></div>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 14:57:45 +0000Rob Boston12497 at http://blog.au.orghttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/trump-wanted-jerry-falwell-jr-to-run-the-us-department-of-education#commentsWhat Happens To Science In A Trump White House?http://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/what-happens-to-science-in-a-trump-white-house
<a href="/about/people/irissa-cisternino"> Irissa Cisternino</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/wall-of-separation">Wall of Separation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>This month, we witnessed an election upset that shocked the nation. It led to many fearing for the future, including people of color, women and LGBTQ Americans.</p>
<p>But there is another potential casualty of a Trump presidency: science education.</p>
<p>The fundamentalist Religious Right, <a href="http://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/trump-s-share-of-the-white-evangelical-vote-was-huge">which backed Trump in droves</a> has consistently demonstrated a contempt for science over the years, namely by trying to peddle young-earth creationism in public schools instead of the accepted theory of evolution. In addition, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/05/29/this-fascinating-chart-on-faith-and-climate-change-denial-has-been-reinforced-by-new-research/">research has shown</a> that the Religious Right, especially those who are more prone to teach biblical literalism, are less likely to favor established science in other areas. </p>
<p>Trump, since announcing his candidacy and especially since winning the election, has surrounded himself with Religious Right leaders who cling to forms of biblical literalism as opposed to scientific inquiry. And now that Trump and Mike Pence are headed to the White House, these views could become the backbone of our country’s national policy, which terrifies me.</p>
<p>There’s a lot to unpack here, but it’s Pence who worries me the most. A self-professed creationist <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2016/08/17/trump_s_vice_presidential_pick_mike_pence_is_a_creationist.html">who in 2002</a> attacked the teaching of evolution during a speech on the floor of the House, Pence has repeatedly disparaged evolution, arguing that it should be presented alongside creationism because it’s “just a theory.”</p>
<p><img alt="" src="/files/science%20education.jpg" style="width: 800px; height: 534px;" /></p>
<p><em>Children attending public schools deserve real science education, not fundamentalist dogma.</em></p>
<p>Now, why is Pence’s stance on science dangerous for the country? Let’s take a look at Trump’s <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/president-elect-donald-trumps-plan-first-100-days/">100-day plan.</a> One provision <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/09/25/494740056/donald-trumps-plan-for-americas-schools">calls for</a> bringing education supervision to local communities and letting them decide the curriculum. “Local control” has been Trump’s mantra.</p>
<p>That <em>sounds</em> great, except it can be problematic. Public schools are, of course, answerable to local school boards, but doing away with state and federal standards can create problems. Not all decisions made at the local level are good ones, and some people get the idea that they can interject religion into the schools as so-called “intelligent design theory,” which they can’t legally do.</p>
<p>Furthermore, while federal courts have done a pretty good job striking down efforts to teach overt creationism in public schools, that doesn’t mean all schools do a good job teaching evolution. Some avoid the topic for fear of offending fundamentalists. Under a policy of extreme local control with little state or federal standards, Religious Right groups at the local level would have free reign to push for watering down instruction about evolution or advocate for removing it altogether from science curricula. This would do generations of children an educational disservice.</p>
<p>If that wasn’t bad enough, though, as Rokia Hassanein <a href="http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/trump-considering-creationist-jerry-falwell-jr-for-position-in-department">wrote earlier today</a>, Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University and a creationist, is being considered for some role in the U.S. Education Department.</p>
<p>So, while there is a lot to fear for in the future under Trump, I’m really worried about the potential damages his win could do to science. Creationists are likely feeling empowered by Trump’s victory, meaning the long-running struggle to teach sound science in our public schools will only intensify.</p>
</div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/creationism-evolution">Creationism &amp; Evolution</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/donald-j-trump">Donald J. Trump</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/mike-pence">Mike Pence</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/creationism">creationism</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/evolution">evolution</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/intelligent-design">Intelligent Design</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/jerry-falwell-jr-0">Jerry Falwell Jr.</a></span></div></div>Tue, 22 Nov 2016 19:30:50 +0000Rob Boston12489 at http://blog.au.orghttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/what-happens-to-science-in-a-trump-white-house#commentsTrump Considering Creationist Jerry Falwell Jr. For Position In Department Of Education http://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/trump-considering-creationist-jerry-falwell-jr-for-position-in-department
<a href="/about/people/rokia-hassanein">Rokia Hassanein</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/wall-of-separation">Wall of Separation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>It’s been two weeks since Donald J. Trump was elected president, and his appointments and prospective picks for his administration thus far have been horrendous for church-state separation.</p>
<p>First, he appointed Steve Bannon, a racist misogynistic xenophobe <a href="http://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/trump-has-already-appointed-a-chief-strategist-who-s-horrible-for-religious">who has a long history of insulting religious minorities</a>, as his chief strategist. Then, he nominated U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) to be attorney general – <a href="http://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/jeff-sessions-is-no-fan-of-separation-of-church-and-state">a man who thinks</a> church-state separation is “a recent thing that is unhistorical and unconstitutional.”</p>
<p>Now, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/11/21/falwell-meets-with-trump-to-talk-education/">he’s reportedly considering</a> Jerry Falwell Jr. to be a part of the Department of Education. (This is not straight out of a horror movie or a “Saturday Night Live” skit, by the way.)</p>
<p>Yes, creationist Falwell Jr., the president of Liberty University, the largest conservative evangelical school in the country, is being considered for an education position within the Trump administration despite his history of prioritizing his brand of fundamentalist Christian teachings over nearly everything. </p>
<p>“I let them know one of my passions is reforming higher education and education in general,” Falwell <a href="http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/article_0746e853-cb07-56db-bc35-ba83b65a6f97.html">told the </a><a href="http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/article_0746e853-cb07-56db-bc35-ba83b65a6f97.html"><em>Richmond Times-Dispatch</em></a> after a meeting with Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence took place in New York. </p>
<p>Those “passions” include teaching creationism instead of evolution, teaching that being gay is a sin, promoting the idea of taxpayer money funding religious schools via school vouchers and repealing the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_Amendment">Johnson Amendment</a> so that tax-exempt universities such as his, alongside houses of worship, can endorse political candidates. </p>
<p><img alt="" src="/files/GettyImages-468613162.jpg" style="width: 800px; height: 613px;" /></p>
<p><em>The book depicted here is not a science text. </em></p>
<p>“I told them I’d be willing – I have a lot of responsibilities here – but I’d be willing to serve in some capacity that sort of brings education back to some form of sanity,” Falwell continued. </p>
<p>Well, his ideas certainly bring “education back,” that’s for sure – back to the 19th century.</p>
<p>Based on Falwell’s comments, he seems confident that he will be offered some role in the Education Department, and the mere idea of him contributing his ideas about “sanity” is troublesome.</p>
<p>The Religious Right’s idea of “sane” is anything but. If Trump appoints Falwell Jr. or another Religious Right figure with similar views, there would be a huge reversal on LGBTQ students’ rights, especially given the Obama Administration’s <a href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/entry/obama-administration-issues-guidance-protecting-transgender-students-nation">guidance protecting transgender students</a>.</p>
<p>And Falwell Jr. represents the most hypocritical of the Religious Right. He was one of the first Religious Right leaders to back Trump by <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/01/26/evangelical-leader-jerry-falwell-jr-endorses-trump/">endorsing him in January </a>and setting a precedent for evangelicals to empty their “values” tank. <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/10/liberty-university-trump/505400/">Even students in his university</a> thought he favored being a right-wing Republican over being a Christian this election season.</p>
<p>So it comes as no surprise that Trump, who bases a lot of his decisions on who’s blindly loyal to him, is likely to make Falwell Jr. a part of his administration. However, it should worry anyone who cares about the future of our public school system.</p>
<p>Falwell and his gang have a plan for public schools: If they can’t turn them into fundamentalist Christian academies, they’d like to drain their funding away and move to a voucher system of taxpayer-funded private schools, most of them religious in nature. </p>
<p>I’m sure there will be more horrible considerations and appointments to come during Trump’s transition period, especially since he sold his soul to the Religious Right while campaigning, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/donald-trump-evangelical-christians-religious-conservatives.html?_r=0">and they will expect a lot in return</a>.</p>
<p>But with this possible appointment, Trump has, at least for now, hit a new low. </p>
</div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/creationism-evolution">Creationism &amp; Evolution</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/vouchers">Vouchers</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/descriptions-and-activities-religious-right-groups">Descriptions and Activities of Religious Right Groups</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/jerry-falwell-jr-0">Jerry Falwell Jr.</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/trump-administration">Trump Administration</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/mike-pence">Mike Pence</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/department-of-education">Department of Education</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/johnson-amendment">Johnson Amendment</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/school-vouchers">school vouchers</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/creationism">creationism</a></span></div></div>Tue, 22 Nov 2016 16:04:39 +0000Rokia Hassanein12487 at http://blog.au.orghttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/trump-considering-creationist-jerry-falwell-jr-for-position-in-department#commentsIt’s All Right To Teach Evolution In Kansashttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/it-s-all-right-to-teach-evolution-in-kansas
<a href="/about/people/rob-boston">Rob Boston</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/wall-of-separation">Wall of Separation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>The state of Kansas has a complicated relationship with the theory of evolution.</p>
<p>In 1999, the state attracted international attention when the Kansas Board of Education <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/featured_articles/990816Amonday.html">voted to remove</a> virtually all references to evolution from the science standards.</p>
<p>The response to that ill-considered action was swift and strong, and people in the state mobilized to defend sound science education and church-state separation. In July of 2000, I was among a series of speakers who barnstormed to the state to raise awareness of the issue. (One thing I remember most about that trip was the unrelenting heat. It was 100 degrees when I arrived in Wichita. I also remember that a couple of creationists came to my talk and asked what they thought were probing question during the Q&amp;A. A biologist with a local university politely, but firmly, ripped them to shreds.)</p>
<p>Later that year, voters replaced two creationists on the board with moderates, and <a href="http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/kansas-restores-evolution-to-state-science-standards">instruction about evolution was restored</a>. Three years ago, new science standards were adopted that stress evolution.</p>
<p>Things are headed in the right direction, but that doesn’t mean the fight is over. Indeed, Kansas has seen sporadic skirmishes over the issue of teaching evolution since then.</p>
<p>Most recently, the U.S. Supreme Court <a href="http://www.ottawaherald.com/news/state_news/supreme-court-denies-review-of-lawsuit-on-kansas-science-standards/article_3ed218ee-f660-57e0-91ef-9a4211fcec56.html">declined to hear</a> a lawsuit asserting that teaching evolution amounts to promoting atheism.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="/files/kansas.jpg" style="width: 800px; height: 532px;" /></p>
<p><em>Welcome to Kansas. Yes, you can teach evolution here. </em></p>
<p>The case was brought by a group called Citizens for Objective Public Education. (COPE). In the lawsuit, members of the group asserted that the science standards permit “only atheistic/materialistic answers to ultimate religious questions.”</p>
<p>A federal court didn’t find that argument persuasive and dismissed the case. That ruling was later upheld by an appeals court. The unsuccessful appeal to the Supreme Court means the legal action is over.</p>
<p>Carolyn Campbell, a board member from Topeka, told the Topeka <em>Capital-Journal</em> that she’s happy the case is over.</p>
<p>“I struggle to understand how people can decide that the science standards [are] promoting atheism or just whatever their thoughts are,” she said. “We’re just trying to educate children so that they will have a well-rounded understanding of science.”</p>
<p>Bingo. We hear a lot of talk these days about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and the need to make certain that our children are prepared for the jobs of the future. They won’t be if they aren’t taught evolution, the glue that holds together biology, geology, anthropology and other sciences. </p>
<p>COPE argued that teaching evolution in Kansas public schools will “establish and endorse a non-theistic religious worldview” in violation of the First Amendment. There’s a lot wrong with that claim, but chief among them is the insistence that one can’t accept God and evolution. Millions of believers around the world can and do.</p>
<p>COPE and similar groups may claim to be supporting “academic freedom” or even “religious freedom,” but what they are really after is something else entirely: the right to be uneducated and ignorant of modern science.</p>
<p>Parents may have the right to elevate fundamentalism over science for their own children (although I feel sorry for those kids), but they have no right to make that decision for anyone else.</p>
</div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/creationism-evolution">Creationism &amp; Evolution</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/kansas">Kansas</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/evolution">evolution</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/creationism">creationism</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/carolyn-campbell">Carolyn Campbell</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/kansas-board-of-education">Kansas Board of Education</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/citizens-for-objective-public-education">Citizens for Objective Public Education</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/supreme-court">Supreme Court</a></span></div></div>Thu, 17 Nov 2016 15:27:10 +0000Rob Boston12481 at http://blog.au.orghttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/it-s-all-right-to-teach-evolution-in-kansas#commentsHere Are Some Interesting State Races You Might Have Missed http://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/here-are-some-interesting-state-races-you-might-have-missed
<a href="/about/people/rokia-hassanein">Rokia Hassanein</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/wall-of-separation">Wall of Separation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>Yesterday, AU’s Communications Director Rob Boston <a href="http://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/donald-trump-has-been-elected-president-what-now">wrote </a>a blog post about the Religious Right-empowered issues the United States may face if the Trump administration implements some of its campaign’s talking points, and Legislative Director Maggie Garrett <a href="http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/a-little-good-news-we-won-all-three-ballot-initiatives">discussed the results</a> of some ballot referenda.</p>
<p>But in the midst of all of the reaction over President-Elect Donald Trump, you might have missed important state races where church-state issues were a factor. This time, there is some good news in this list, we promise.</p>
<hr /><p><strong><em>North Carolina: Anti-LGBTQ Pat McCrory may be out as governor. </em></strong>It appears that North Carolina may soon have a new governor, as Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2016/11/09/north_carolina_gov_pat_mccrory_lost_thanks_to_hb2.html">declared victory</a> over Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, who is notorious for his religiously-motivated anti-LGBTQ antics. McCrory hasn’t officially conceded yet, but he’s behind in a tight race.</p>
<p>Although it may not be the main reason he probably lost, McCrory’s anti-trans “bathroom bill,” which restricts transgender people from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity, garnered negative national attention and lost the state of North Carolina money in endorsements and tournament hosting. </p>
<p><strong><em>Montana: Religious Right Republican loses to Democratic incumbent. </em></strong>Montana Gov. Steve Bullock was <a href="http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/governor-s-race-neck-and-neck-gop-wins-big-in/article_d062ef0b-9329-51b7-b6fb-15b9a2995657.html">re-elected</a> after defeating Republican challenger Greg Gianforte, who was donated to Religious Right groups such as <a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.com/">Focus on the Family</a><u>.</u></p>
<p>But Gianforte’s donations weren’t the only suggestion that he may have been bad for church-state issues. During the race, his support for the teaching of <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/10/19/dinosaurs-roar-into-montana-governor-race-with-new-ad.html">creationism was also an issue.</a></p>
<p>Montanans for Truth in Public Schools, a political action committee, ran an ad criticizing Gianforte for wanting to direct public funds to private schools, some of which would end up teaching creationism.</p>
<p>“The purpose of the group is to educate the public about Ginaforte’s desire to use public dollars to fund private schools that may be teaching methodologies in evolution that are at odds with scientific consensus,” Adrian Cohea, the committee's treasurer, said. </p>
<p>The race between Bullock and Gianforte was so tight that it had to be called Wednesday morning. Bullock said that despite the rhetoric of the Trump campaign, he hopes Democrats and Republicans can work together to “rise above.”</p>
<p><img alt="" src="/files/GettyImages-613654464.jpg" style="width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></p>
<p><em>There have been some good and bad state races for church-state separation this election. </em></p>
<p><strong><em>Missouri: Attorney general race may affect pending Supreme Court case. </em></strong>Republican Josh Hawley is now Missouri’s new attorney general after his Democratic opponent Teresa Hensley conceded the <a href="http://kcur.org/post/teresa-hensley-concedes-missouri-attorney-general-race-will-end-her-political-career#stream/0">race</a>.</p>
<p>This could have implications for an important church-state case pending before the Supreme Court. In <em>Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Pauley</em>, the Supreme Court will decide whether the state of Missouri must give taxpayer funds to a Columbia church for its religious pre-school.</p>
<p>The church sought to take part in a state program that gives groups a rubber material made from recycled tires to resurface playgrounds. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources denied the grant, noting that the Missouri Constitution contains a clause barring public aid to religious enterprises. </p>
<p>Here at Americans United, we previously <a href="http://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/taxing-case-pending-supreme-court-controversy-could-lead-to-more-public">wrote about</a> the dangerous precedent this case could set. If the Supreme Court rules that religious groups have a legal right to tax support in certain conditions, it could lead to a lot more taxpayer money flowing to religion.</p>
<p>There’s been some speculation that the new attorney general might try to <a href="http://www.bna.com/churchstate-fight-may-n57982082176/">settle the case</a>, thus removing it from the high court’s docket. We’ll be keeping an eye on things.</p>
<p><strong><em>Texas: Outcome of Texas State Board of Education races could lead to more fights over evolution. </em></strong>Republicans who <a href="http://www.rawstory.com/2016/11/bad-news-for-the-theory-of-evolution-as-republicans-prevail-in-texas-state-board-of-education-races/#.WCPHiWYVo8Q.yahoomail">sought</a> reelection to Texas’ State Board of Education kept their seats. This could be bad news for sound science education in the state’s public schools. With far-right members maintaining their seats, the board is likely to get mired down in more battles over evolution.</p>
<p>A panel convened by the Texas Education Agency voted in September to remove creationist language from public school science standards, which were written in 2009. That decision may not survive board review. </p>
<p>The state board will be deciding on this proposal next year, but these race results could create an uphill battle for pro-evolution, anti-creationism representatives and activists. Currently, 10 Republicans outnumber the five Democrats on the board. </p>
</div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/creationism-evolution">Creationism &amp; Evolution</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/religious-groups-involvement-in-candidate-elections">Religious Groups’ Involvement in Candidate Elections</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/descriptions-and-activities-religious-right-groups">Descriptions and Activities of Religious Right Groups</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/elections-2016">Elections 2016</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/north-carolina">north carolina</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/texas">Texas</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/montana">Montana</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/missouri">Missouri</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/steve-bullock">Steve Bullock</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/evolution">evolution</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/creationism">creationism</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/pat-mccrory">Pat McCrory</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/trinity-lutheran-church-church">Trinity Lutheran Church Church</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/supreme-court">Supreme Court</a></span></div></div>Thu, 10 Nov 2016 16:59:33 +0000Rokia Hassanein12472 at http://blog.au.orghttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/here-are-some-interesting-state-races-you-might-have-missed#commentsThis Is The Most Important Thing You Will Read Todayhttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/this-is-the-most-important-thing-you-will-read-today
<a href="/about/people/timothy-ritz">Timothy Ritz</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/wall-of-separation">Wall of Separation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p><img alt="" src="/files/page_images/GoVote-FINAL.png" style="width: 800px; height: 800px;" /></p>
</div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/creationism-evolution">Creationism &amp; Evolution</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/school-prayer">School Prayer</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/bibles-and-religious-texts-curricula">Bibles and Religious Texts in Curricula</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/religious-distributions-events-and-evangelism-during-school-day">Religious Distributions, Events and Evangelism during the School Day</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/religious-displays-and-holidays">Religious Displays and Holidays</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/other-issues-regarding-religion-schools-and-universities">Other Issues regarding Religion in Schools and Universities</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/faith-based-initiative-government-funding-religious-social-service-providers">The Faith-Based Initiative &amp; Government Funding of Religious Social Service Providers</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/constructing-and-refurbishing-buildings-used-religious-activities">Constructing and Refurbishing Buildings Used for Religious Activities</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/tax-exemptions-churches-and-clergy">Tax Exemptions for Churches and Clergy</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/vouchers">Vouchers</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/prayer-at-government-events-and-legislative-meetings">Prayer at Government Events and Legislative Meetings</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/government-sponsored-religious-displays">Government-Sponsored Religious Displays</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/religious-mottos-pledges-and-resolutions">Religious Mottos, Pledges and Resolutions</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/workplace-discrimination-exemptions-religious-practice">Discrimination, Exemptions &amp; Religious Practice in the Workplace</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/outside-workplace-discrimination-exemptions-religious-practice-including-military-prisons">Institutional Discrimination, Exemptions &amp; Religious Practice (Including Military, Prisons &amp; Healthcare)</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/religious-refusals-and-rfra">Religious Refusals and RFRA</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/religious-groups-involvement-in-candidate-elections">Religious Groups’ Involvement in Candidate Elections</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/churches-as-polling-places">Churches as Polling Places</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/other-issues-regarding-churches-and-politics">Other Issues regarding Churches and Politics</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/marriage">Marriage</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/reproductive-health-conscience-clauses-for-religious-objectors">Reproductive Health &amp; Conscience Clauses for Religious Objectors</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/judicial-nominations">Judicial Nominations</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/2016-presidential-election">2016 Presidential Election</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/2016-election">2016 election</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/hillary-clinton">Hillary Clinton</a></span></div></div>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 15:44:03 +0000Timothy Ritz12467 at http://blog.au.orghttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/this-is-the-most-important-thing-you-will-read-today#commentsWill Creationism Be Booted From Texas Textbooks For Good? http://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/will-creationism-be-booted-from-texas-textbooks-for-good
<a href="/about/people/simon-brown">Simon Brown</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/wall-of-separation">Wall of Separation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>After <a href="https://www.au.org/church-state/december-2014-church-state/people-events/texas-textbooks-get-some-improvements-but">years of struggles</a> over the inclusion of creationism in Texas public school textbooks, it’s possible that this fight may soon be extinct.</p>
<p>As reported by sound science education activist Zack Kopplin, who recently received Americans United’s David Norr Youth Activist Award, the future of creationism in Texas textbooks is now <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/10/31/creationism-in-texas-could-go-extinct-on-election-day.html">in the hands of politicians</a>.</p>
<p>Since it’s Texas, that isn’t normally a good thing. After all, Religious Right favorites like former Gov. Rick Perry (R) and current U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R) have been elected to high office there. But there is reason for hope. In September, educators working for the Texas Education Agency removed several problematic passages promoting creationism from the state science standards. The final decision on those changes now rests in the hands of the Texas State Board of Education, an elected body.</p>
<p>This is a pretty big deal. As Kopplin noted: “If the decision stands, it would be a major blow to political creationism and the first time in a decade for any state’s creationism policy to be overturned.”</p>
<p>The creationist curriculum, which was crafted in 2009, includes some of the standard tactics far-right fundamentalists like to use in order to undermine evolution. Texas public school students are forced to learn “all sides” of theories that attempt to explain the origins of life on Earth, and must “analyze and evaluate scientific explanations concerning the complexity of the cell.” They also require students to examine “sudden appearance, stasis, and sequential nature of groups in the fossil record.” </p>
<p>All of that is an attempt to force religious dogma on students. As Kopplin explained:</p>
<p>“Complexity of the cell is a stand in for irreducible complexity, the creationist belief that the structure and function of cell components (and pieces of other larger body parts) are too interdependent to have formed through evolution, piece by piece over many generations. Instead, creationists posit that cells were created fully formed and all at once, by God.” </p>
<p><img alt="" src="/files/Zack-2.jpg" style="width: 800px; height: 801px;" /></p>
<p><em>Zack Kopplin accepting AU's Youth Activist Award on Monday. </em></p>
<p>He continued: “Sudden appearance is a reference to the Cambrian Explosion, a period beginning around 550 million years ago. Over the next 20 million years, a large number of animal phyla appeared in the fossil record. This is unusually rapid evolution, and because the term explosion mirrors creation, it has become go-to evidence for creationists claiming that God made animals.”</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Kopplin said, creationist advocates haven’t given up just yet. Multiple state board of education members are open advocates for creationism, including Donna Bahorich, a former campaign manager for Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R). She has expressed concern over depictions of “horseshoe crab sex” in textbooks and is expected to vote in favor of keeping creationism in the science standards. </p>
<p>Another board member, Ken Mercer, said those who criticize evolution are often treated the way the Nazis treated their critics.</p>
<p>“Did professors who found weaknesses in the Nazi theories receive research grants, funding, and foundation awards?” Mercer asked some years ago. “History is not kind to Darwinian evolutionists.”</p>
<p>The final vote on the standards will be held next spring. Kopplin said the 15-member board is now split 6-6 between advocates of creationism and sound science; the remaining three members could vote either way. But that might change. One conservative member who opposed teaching creationism in textbooks is stepping down this year. The candidate who is expected to replace him is also conservative, but he has not yet made his position on creationism known.</p>
<p>It’s important to keep in mind that what happens in Texas on the textbook front has ramifications for the rest of the county. Since the Lone Star state has the second largest school system in the United States, textbook publishers will often make books tailored to fit Texas’ standards – then market those books in other places too. </p>
<p>At this point, it’s very difficult to say how this will play out. But for the first time in a long time, there is hope that a massive public school system will give a cowboy boot religious dogma in favor of sound science. </p>
</div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/creationism-evolution">Creationism &amp; Evolution</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/creationism">creationism</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/texas">Texas</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/science-textbooks">Science Textbooks</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/religious-right-0">Religious Right</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/education">Education</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/zack-kopplin">Zack Kopplin</a></span></div></div>Thu, 03 Nov 2016 21:45:47 +0000Rokia Hassanein12465 at http://blog.au.orghttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/will-creationism-be-booted-from-texas-textbooks-for-good#commentsAnother Fight Over Evolution Brewing In Texas http://blog.au.org/church-state/november-2016-church-state/au-bulletin/another-fight-over-evolution-brewing-in-texas
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>A Texas state education committee wants to remove several requirements that force public high school biology teachers to teach concepts that challenge evolution, a move that is likely to spark a new battle over science education.</p>
<p>Texas’ State Board of Education created a 10-member committee composed of school district officials and scholars to examine the state’s biology curriculum standards. The standards, known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), govern what is taught in public schools.</p>
<p>Some committee members say the standards are too lengthy and have recommended trimming material that undermines evolution.</p>
<p>Ron Wetherington, an anthropology professor at Southern Methodist University, told the Austin <em>American-Statesman</em> that the anti-evolution standards are unnecessary.</p>
<p>“How can we improve the TEKS by paring it down and giving you more time to teach what you need to teach? For the most part, we were looking at duplications, non-sequitur and grammatical problems, and other structural problems in the TEKS that made it difficult to interpret,” he said.</p>
<p>But some committee members who are sympathetic to creationism voted to keep the standards.</p>
<p>The State Board of Education has been dominated by Religious Right conservatives for several years, making the state a frequent battleground for disputes over the teaching of evolution.</p>
</div></div><div class="field field-name-field-cs-department field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">AU Bulletin</div></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/creationism-evolution">Creationism &amp; Evolution</a></span></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-cs-issue field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Magazine Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><article id="node-12435" class="node node-church-state-issue clearfix">
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The <span class="cs-month field">November</span> <span class="cs-year field"><span class="date-display-single">2016</span></span> issue of <em>Church &amp; State</em>
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<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/people-events/nevada-supreme-court-blocks-implementation-of">Nevada Supreme Court Blocks Implementation Of School Voucher Plan </a></span> </div></li>
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<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/people-events/mass-court-says-ok-to-program-of-tax-aid-for">Mass. Court Says OK To Program Of Tax Aid For Churches</a></span> </div></li>
<li class="views-row views-row-4 views-row-even">
<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/people-events/appeals-court-upholds-nc-county-s-policy-on">Appeals Court Upholds N.C. County’s Policy On Municipal Prayer </a></span> </div></li>
<li class="views-row views-row-5 views-row-odd">
<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/people-events/federal-report-says-voucher-programs-can-leave">Federal Report Says Voucher Programs Can Leave Disabled Students Behind</a></span> </div></li>
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<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/people-events/recent-poll-shows-high-support-for-birth">Recent Poll Shows High Support For Birth Control Access </a></span> </div></li>
</ul></div><div class="cs-department" id="section-au-bulletin"> <h3>AU Bulletin</h3>
<ul class="cs-department-list"> <li class="views-row views-row-1 views-row-odd views-row-first">
<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/au-bulletin/us-education-department-to-monitor-religious">U.S. Education Department To Monitor Religious Bias </a></span> </div></li>
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<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/au-bulletin/another-fight-over-evolution-brewing-in-texas">Another Fight Over Evolution Brewing In Texas </a></span> </div></li>
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<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/au-bulletin/colo-graphic-artist-sues-over-marriage-equality">Colo. Graphic Artist Sues Over Marriage Equality </a></span> </div></li>
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<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/au-bulletin/conn-police-chief-says-prayer-can-fight-crime">Conn. Police Chief Says Prayer Can Fight Crime</a></span> </div></li>
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<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/au-bulletin/okla-governor-calls-for-prayers-for-oil-industry">Okla. Governor Calls For Prayers For Oil Industry</a></span> </div></li>
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<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/au-bulletin/fla-county-official-sues-over-marriage">Fla. County Official Sues Over Marriage Requirement </a></span> </div></li>
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<div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/church-state/november-2016-church-state/au-bulletin/around-the-world-extremist-sentenced-for-mali">Around The World: Extremist Sentenced For Mali Site Attacks</a></span> </div></li>
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</div></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/texas">Texas</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/texas-state-board-education">Texas State Board of Education</a></span></div></div>Tue, 01 Nov 2016 09:00:00 +0000Timothy Ritz12448 at http://blog.au.orghttp://blog.au.org/church-state/november-2016-church-state/au-bulletin/another-fight-over-evolution-brewing-in-texas#commentsFor Halloween, Here Are Seven Things Much Scarier Than Creepy Clownshttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/for-halloween-here-are-seven-things-much-scarier-than-creepy-clowns
<a href="/about/people/rob-boston">Rob Boston</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/wall-of-separation">Wall of Separation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>It’s Halloween, and I’m looking forward to distributing treats to the neighborhood children who come to my house tonight. As long as those <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/16/opinion/sunday/what-do-the-scary-clowns-want.html">creepy clowns</a> stay away, it’s sure to be a good time.</p>
<p>I enjoy a good horror movie every now and then, but to me, the real world provides a more disturbing array of actual chills. In fact, here are seven things way scarier than ghosts, werewolves, zombies – and even phantom clowns:</p>
<p><em>People who say separation of church and state is a "myth": </em>In my opinion, theocratic zealots – no matter what their faith – are more frightening than a knife-wielding Chucky doll. Separation of church and state has given our nation the greatest degree of religious freedom in the history of the world. All history shows that separation works. People who want to knock down that protective wall and merge their faith with government are extremely scary. .</p>
<p><em>Government-sponsored religious activities: </em>Some people think it’s no big deal when the government encourages or calls on people to pray through proclamations and official days of prayer. I disagree. Those things give me the creeps. Americans are more than capable of deciding on their own when, how or whether to pray without “advice” from bureaucrats. Government-sponsored religious worship sounds like something out of the Middle Ages. It ought to scare the truly devout the most.</p>
<p><em>Creationism in public schools: </em>Creationism (and its hipper cousin, “intelligent design”), doesn’t just violate the separation of church and state, it robs young people of the right to learn real science. Students who are taught creationism (or who aren’t taught evolution properly) arrive at college at a disadvantage. They may find entire career paths blocked to them if they can’t catch up. Be afraid. Be very afraid.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="/files/hween%20cat.jpg" style="width: 800px; height: 534px;" /></p>
<p><em>"Yikes! Who turned the channel to Pat Robertson?" </em></p>
<p><em>Religion-based vetoes over healthcare and LGBTQ rights: </em>You should be able to get the medical care you need – and yes, that includes birth control – even if your boss’s church doesn’t like it. Also, the rights of LGBTQ Americans ought to be respected no matter what some people think the Bible says. Attempts to turn religious freedom, a noble concept that all Americans should cherish, into an instrument to oppress others and deny their rights are the stuff of nightmares.</p>
<p><em>The Religious Right’s “Christmas Police”: </em>Every year, not long after Halloween, the nation starts rushing headlong toward Christmas. Americans who celebrate this holiday – and not all do – acknowledge it in different ways. To some it’s a religious festival, but others emphasize its secular aspects. Still others mix it up. To the Religious Right’s Christmas Police, there’s only one way to celebrate Christmas – their way! Donald Trump has even vowed that you’ll hear more people saying “Merry Christmas” if he’s elected. (How the heck is he going to enforce that?) Zealots who want to impose a “religiously correct” way of speaking and thinking on everyone send shivers down my spine.</p>
<p><em>Anyone who talks about how much our country needs “biblical law”: </em>The Bible is an important spiritual guide for many Americans, but few people read it as a manual for governance. Like any religious text, it’s open to various interpretations. (That’s one reason we have so many different strains of Christianity.) When people call for “biblical law,” what they really mean is this: “I have decided that the way I interpret the Bible is the one true way. Everyone should do it my way because I am right.” That’s a monstrous idea. </p>
<p><em>TV preacher Pat Robertson:</em> Yes, after all of these years, he still gives me the creeps. His insane ideas are bad enough – and then there’s that maniacal grin. </p>
<p>Remember, you can keep these phantasms at bay by supporting separation of church and state. If you’re not a card-carrying AU member, <a href="https://support.au.org/donate">take the plunge and join us</a>. I promise we’ll fend off the hobgoblins of the Religious Right and do all we can to protect your right to believe or not believe as you see fit, guided by the precious right of conscience.</p>
<p>But I'm afraid you’re on your own when it comes to creepy clowns. </p>
<p> </p>
</div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/creationism-evolution">Creationism &amp; Evolution</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/school-prayer">School Prayer</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/religious-refusals-and-rfra">Religious Refusals and RFRA</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/descriptions-and-activities-religious-right-groups">Descriptions and Activities of Religious Right Groups</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/halloween">Halloween</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/school-prayer">School Prayer</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/pat-robertson">Pat Robertson</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/lgbtq-rights">LGBTQ Rights</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/christmas">Christmas</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/creepy-clowns">creepy clowns</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/intelligent-design">Intelligent Design</a></span></div></div>Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:22:23 +0000Rob Boston12434 at http://blog.au.orghttp://blog.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/for-halloween-here-are-seven-things-much-scarier-than-creepy-clowns#comments